Hello and grab the popcorn, as it were, as I continue writing about the life and times of all that is happening in the land of VH.  It’s rather a lot this week, and I’ve actually held back on some of the things I wanted to write about, so I’m going straight in and next week is another week.  Let’s go: 

I have quite a bit of feedback and some new products to tell you about, but before we do that I want to talk about supplementation and most specifically joint supplementation.  Most people tend to write about joint pain during the cold winter months, but pain is pain no matter what time of the year it is and it is estimated that one in five people in the UK have arthritis, which can affect all ages.  Pain relief, most especially pain relief to help ease the stiffness of joints, is imperative for so many and with that said, we are yet to discover any form of natural supplementation that comes close in efficacy to the heavily-researched ingredient, Natural Eggshell Membrane (NEM).

NEM is the thin membrane that is found in-between the egg shell and the egg white and it contains proteins that help to repair the cartilage network in between our bones.  It is the degradation of this cartilage that causes the release of acids, such as uric acid, that can so often result in pain and stiffness.  With several studies and peer-reviewed articles, NEM has been shown to support joint flexibility with clinically meaningful results, which is why Shabir included this ingredient, at the clinical strength of 500 mg, when he formulated Superior Joints. 

With four articles written by Shabir on the product page about Superior Joints, we have also linked an Abstract, in his first article, showing the results from two open-label human clinical studies, where you will read that with 500 mg of NEM taken once daily, NEM significantly reduced pain, both rapidly (seven days) and continuously (30 days).  I am absolutely not going to tell you that within seven days you will be skipping around, but Superior Joints remains our bestselling product for joint pain and because it really does make a huge difference to so many of you, I am dropping the price of Superior Joints from £30 to £25, across the weekend.
Superior Joints £25 for 60 Capsules (offer ends at midnight BST, Sunday 19 June)

Over the years I have often written about products that cease to exist, and there are hundreds, if not thousands, of them that are sitting in product heaven.  Yet, every so often one or two of them manage to get themselves resurrected and one such product is Pharma Nord’s Bio-Glucosamine + MSM Cream.  Specifically formulated to help alleviate the deep, dull ache associated with joint problems, this topical cream sits rather well with Superior Joints and to celebrate its resurrection, I am dropping the price of this cream from £8.45 to £6.45, also across the weekend.  For best results, use after a therapeutic bath.  And bear with, I am coming to that next.
Bio-Glucosamine + MSM Cream by Pharma Nord £6.45 for 75 ml (offer ends at midnight BST, Sunday 19 June)

I have always thought that it is far better to massage a bath oil into your skin before stepping into a bath, rather than pour an inordinate amount of product into the bath water, most especially if you have a big bath.  But it doesn’t have to be an actual bath oil, because in this instance I am going to recommend that you rub Weleda’s excellent Arnica Massage Balm onto your skin and then step into a bath.  Being a traditional herbal remedy for the symptomatic relief of rheumatic pain, muscular pain, joint stiffness and backache, this is one of Weleda’s signature products and although the instructions say to use after a warm bath, I’ve just changed the rules.  And the price.
Arnica Massage Balm by Weleda £11 for 100 ml (drops from £13.98 and offer ends at midnight BST, Sunday 19 June)

I want to continue to talk about supplementation and we are, in fact, going to talk about Collagen supplementation.  I’m actually not going to say too much, because it will only end up with me having a rant about the entire subject.  So I will just say this, all supplements are not created equally and that is certainly true of Collagen supplementation.  So as Shabir does the lowdown on Collagen and the reasons why he recommends Ultimate Collagen+ in his article linked below, I am reducing the price of Ultimate Collagen+ from £60 to £50 until the end of the week.  Best-in-class.  We believe so.
VH Editorial: How To Take Collagen Supplements; Ultimate Collagen+ by Ingenious Beauty £50 for 90 Capsules (offer ends at midnight BST, Friday 24 June)

We often talk about the role of probiotics and although we recommend Mega Probiotic as a broad-spectrum probiotic, there are some specifically targeted probiotics and Florassist Heart Health is one such product.  Containing a novel probiotic, Lactobacillus reuteri 30342, clinical trials have shown that this form of probiotic supports healthy cholesterol and C-reactive protein levels.  C-reactive protein is a marker of inflammation in the body because high levels of this protein are often linked to cardiovascular disease.

The interesting point here is that researchers are now discovering that an important strategy to help prevent cardiovascular disease may lie within our intestinal tracts.  These beneficial bacteria form a key interface between the body and its genetic structure, with the results of these interactions determining our cardiovascular risk, energy metabolism and lipid levels in the body.  So two things here.  The first is that I am dropping the price of Florassist Heart Health from £23 to £19 and the second thing is that there are many other specific probiotics for various health issues, some of which you can read about in Shabir’s article linked below.
VH Editorial: What Can’t Probiotics Do; Florassist Heart Health by Life Extension £19 for 60 Capsules (offer ends at midnight BST, Sunday 19 June)

Staying with health-related issues, Yacon Syrup has also been the subject of much research, including a study showing that Yacon could have a significant effect in decreasing body weight and body mass index in those carrying excessive weight.  I really don’t like writing about weight loss because it is such a subjective issue, but that aside it is recognised that Yacon can help to increase your metabolic rate gradually, which is a good thing because increased metabolism results in enhanced energy production.  And we could all use a bit of that.  I’ll leave you with Shabir’s article, where he digs deep on all things Yacon.
Can Yacon Syrup Help You Lose Weight; Organic Yacon Syrup £15.99 for 425 ml; Organic Yacon Syrup £7.49 for 170 ml

Right, let’s do the new product launches and I will begin with another new product from Dermelect Cosmeceuticals.  Further to the eye-specific skincare product debate, which I wrote about last week, there is also a debate around the necessity for neck creams and you either believe in them, or you don’t.  The skin on your neck is considerably thinner than the skin on your face and whilst your regular moisturiser can be used on the neck, I have always believed in specifically targeted neck creams.  So let’s talk about Dermelect’s Self-Esteem Professional Neck Firming Lift, because I think it’s rather wonderful.

Neck Firming Lift is a daily corrective cream featuring Dermelect’s breakthrough Agefinity natural ‘Y-Complex’ formulated to target the signs of neck ageing.  Agefinity Complex, Squalene and a blend of hydrating and tightening ingredients work to help nourish, firm and tone the delicate skin of the neck.  The formulation also includes a combination of hydroxy acids, potent antioxidants, vitamins and natural botanicals, all of which help to improve the skin’s elasticity, which in turn helps to tighten loose skin, within reason.  I say within reason, because this is not a neck-lift in a jar, but it does give visible results on the neck and décolleté.  And that pleases me.
Self-Esteem Professional Neck Firming Lift £59 for 60 ml

I think I need to eat a little piece of humble pie before we move on, and I’m talking here about Dermelect’s Revitalite Professional, which I wrote about last week.  In a nutshell, I don’t like eye-specific skincare products, so when launching this new eye cream, I abdicated the testing.  However, I did write that I could become obsessed with the cool-tip metal applicator on this product, and I have, seconded by a long-standing customer who told me that no other eye cream had ever had such a positive effect on her tired eyes.  Maybe this is my wake-up call, maybe not, but that cool-tip really is something else, especially in this heat.  I’ve taken to running it across my upper lip too.  Do try.
Revitalite Professional by Dermelect Cosmeceuticals £59 for 15 ml

As brilliant products go, this next product is truly brilliant.  Get Washed Without Water.  Nilaqua’s Towel-Off Skin Cleansing Foam is a gentle cleanser with a delicate soap fragrance, which effectively cleans the body, leaving you fresh and odour free without using any water.  Primarily formulated for the healthcare industry, Skin Cleansing Foam is approved and used extensively in the NHS as it provides essential daily care with dignity; it is also recommended for use by the Alzheimer’s Society. And it’s so easy to use, just apply the soap solution to the body, massage to release dirt, grease and odours into the lather and then remove by towel drying, without the need to rinse.

Designed for long-term use, this Skin Cleansing Foam leaves no sticky residue and it is pH balanced, hyper-allergenic and alcohol free.  Of course with its primary use for healthcare, this product would seem to be invaluable for those who care for the sick and elderly at home, but it is also a great saver of embarrassment if you have a sudden accident, develop hot flushing body odour or have a period leak.  And if you are going to a festival, which most definitely I am not, this would be good to keep in your handbag or rucksack.  Clever.  And highly acclaimed.
Skin Cleansing Foam by Nilaqua £2.10 for 70 ml; Skin Cleansing Foam by Nilaqua £4.25 for 200 ml; Skin Cleansing Foam by Nilaqua £6.99 for 500 ml

Talking of highly acclaimed products, we often recommend products from A. Vogel because their products are well-researched and they work for so many of us.  So please allow me to introduce you to a new product from A. Vogel, Passiflora Complex Spray.  Passiflora Complex Spray supports relaxation and it contains extracts of fresh Passiflora herb (Passion Flower) and fresh Lemon Balm.  It also contains Zinc, the essential mineral that contributes to the protection of cells from oxidative stress.  Whatever form of stress, we all need to relax when the going gets tough, and this goes a long way to help achieve that relaxed state of being.
Passiflora Complex Spray by A. Vogel £10.99 for 20 ml

Fun and games.  I think it might be a good idea if I had an intravenous drip of Passiflora pumping into me at all times, most especially when I am trying to balance our stock levels.  Having made eye-washing a thing, as I wrote last week, Vizulize Eye Wash has, once again, gone out of stock with the manufacturers.  Having taken all available stock from them, I am now told that we may receive further stock this week, which is just as well because it is much needed by so many of you.  Most especially because hay fever seems to be running riot and Vizulize really helps soothe eyes irritated by pollen.  Another wait list.  Another big sigh from me.  This is far from neat.
Vizulize Eye Wash £4.20 for 300 ml (includes eye bath)

As an adjunct to the Eye Wash, it is perhaps timely that I tell you about another new product from A. Vogel.  It is their  Pollinosan Hayfever Eye Drops and these drops have been specifically formulated with Chamomile and soothing Hyaluronic Acid for the quick relief of red and itchy eyes.  Fast-acting, it offers protection against pollen and these drops are suitable for contact lens users.  Using one or two drops, you can use this up to five times a day and there are 300 drops in the bottle.  It can of course be used as a stand-alone, it’s just that I love the entire concept of washing our eyes.  Which is why I keep writing about it.  With a passionate belief.
Pollinosan Hayfever Eye Drops by A. Vogel £11 for 10 ml (drops from £12.99 for the interim)

Lurching from one wait list to another, I wrote last week that my current favourite lip product, Coola’s Liplux Hydrating Lip Oil Sunscreen SPF 30, was back in stock, except it wasn’t because the delivery got held up and I was totally unaware of the situation until after the Weekend Read got released.  I’m so sorry for any confusion, but although we have cleared the wait list, stock levels remain rather low and will remain so over the next few days. Thankfully, Coola’s Original Liplux Lip Balm Sunscreen SPF 30, which has been out of stock for quite a long time, is now back in stock. Two fabulous lip products. Two different textures.  Coola just gets it right.  Every time.
Liplux Hydrating Lip Oil Sunscreen SPF 30 by Coola £18 for 3.2ml; Original Liplux Lip Balm Sunscreen SPF 30 by Coola £10 for 4.2 grams; Coola Products

Death of a product.  Having written about products that cease to be earlier in this newsletter, Derma E have informed us that their Ultra Hydrating Alkaline Gel Booster is about to enter product heaven.  I have absolutely no idea why because it is one of their bestselling products and loaded with Pro-Vitamin B5 and HA, it works really well for dry skin or skin suffering from seasonal dehydration.  Anyway, it’s about to go, so before it does, let’s have one last fling with it as I take the price down from £24 to £15, whilst stock lasts.  Au revoir.
Ultra Hydrating Alkaline Gel Booster by Derma E £15 for 30 ml

Earlier in the year, I wrote that we would try and bring you a treat from Temple Spa each month.  Albeit that we are halfway through the month of June, I want to talk about AAAHHH Instant Cooling Balm.  Maybe my inner-psyche was waiting for the hot weather to arrive, or maybe I just had a touch of brain-fog, which is probably the case, but in any event this cooling gel is somewhat of a saviour for tired feet and limbs and it helps to reduce puffiness too.  Easing tight muscle tension, massage it into your feet and legs using upward strokes and until the end of this month, we have taken the price down from £20 to £15.  It will probably rain now that I’ve written that.
AAAHHH! Instant Cooling Balm by Temple Spa £15 for 150 ml

Most obviously, we are now in the beauty treat section, so this is where I tell you about Ameliorate’s Smooth Skin Duo.  The two products featured are Nourishing Body Wash (200 ml), which is a soap-free formula and loaded with Ameliorate’s skin hydration complex, and Smoothing Body Exfoliant (50 ml) where exfoliating Lactic Acid is combined with polishing micro-dermabrasion granules to deliver relief from rough, dry and bumpy skin.  So, exfoliate and clean as the price of the Smooth Skin Duo drops from £22 to £16, whilst stock lasts.  Might not be long.  I’ve more or less given up making predictions.  It’s safer.
Smooth Skin Duo by Ameliorate (as described above) £16

To end this section, let’s do a Garden of Wisdom product.  And it’s the Anti-Aging MultiPeptide Serum, which Shabir specifically formulated to enhance collagen synthesis and to help quench, plump and sculpt the skin.  I should really write more about the product, but instead I will tell you that I can’t stop laughing because one of the reviews of this product requests that we don’t send Anti-Aging MultiPeptide Serum to product heaven.  Don’t worry, we won’t because it plays a major role in Shabir’s skincare regimen and heaven help us all if his face falls down.  A transference of mood would be bestowed upon me. 

I’d better stop there, but just to say that in another one of those overload scenarios, we are offering you 45 ml of the Anti-Aging Multi-Peptide Serum for the price of 30 ml, which is £20.  This is a limited-edition offer and once they are gone, they are gone.  All further information on the product page, but one more thing here.  Prickly Pear seems to be getting rather a lot of attention at the moment as it unexpectedly made a press appearance recently.  And because I didn’t pay for its appearance, I never do, let’s celebrate that rather unusual happening by taking the price of 100% Pure Prickly Pear Seed Oil down from £20 to £17.  Thank you Hannah Betts for your authenticity.  So rare.
Anti-Aging MultiPeptide Serum by Garden of Wisdom for VH £20 for 45 ml; 100% Pure Prickly Pear Seed Oil £17 for 30 ml (whilst stock lasts on both products)

I’m in a Fulvic state-of-mind as we come to the Saturday only treat.  Actually, I’m always in a Fulvic state-of-mind and I know I have done this before, actually I think I’ve done it twice, but with the holiday season upon us, I know how many of you appreciate travel-size products.  And so this week with every order placed for £30 and above, excluding p&p, we will automatically include the 30 ml size of Fulvic Face Cream.  I sincerely hope we have enough, so I would recommend ordering early if you wish to receive this because it could get substituted for a different gift if we do run out.  And that’s not a prediction.  I’m trying to stay realistic.  I wish I had a Fulvic tree.  I don’t.
Fulvic Face Cream £30 for 60 ml

So as we come to the end of another Weekend Read, I would just like to thank those of you who sent me such touching emails after the last WR.  I think it is always tremendously difficult to come to terms with any form of bereavement, but after the rawness of loss we have to continue to love and support those around us that need it the most.  It is that compassion that the world sorely lacks on so many levels, but although things may be changing around us, we have to uphold the trust and belief that gives us the hope and strength to overcome all, and any, adversity.  And we will continue to do that together.  Thank you for being who and what you are. 

With love

Gill x 

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